The Hard Way (213 album)

Infobox Album
Name = The Hard Way
Type = studio
Artist = 213


Released = August 17, 2004
Recorded = 2004
Genre = West Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, G-funk
Length =
Label = TVT
Producer = Warren G
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:5l867ub030j3 link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/6377675/albums/album/6223486 link]
*"Stylus Magazine" C [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2334 link]
*"VIBE" Rating|2.5|5 [http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2004/08/213_hard_way_tvt/ link]
Last album =
This album = "The Hard Way"
(2004)
Next album =
Misc = Singles
Name = The Hard Way
Type = studio
Single 1 = So Fly
Single 1 date = 2004
Single 2 = Groupie Love
Single 2 date = 2004

"The Hard Way" is the 2004 music album release by the hip hop music group, 213 which consists of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg.It has sold 500,000 units (certifying it gold) according to TvT Records by December 16, 2004. The reunion of the band first appeared as 213 in Warren G's "The Return of the Regulator" in the track "Yo' Sassy Ways". In 2003 Snoop Dogg, released his series of mixtapes, from which the second compilation "Welcome to tha chuuch, Vol. 2" included the first version of "So Fly", which is a parody of the then chart-running hit single by Monica, So Gone. Missy Elliott, the producer of the song, got to hear the tape and was very impressed by it. She agreed with Snoop to cede the right of the sample for the upcoming 213 project in exchange for their rapping on Tamia's "Can't Go for That" remix. In the end it came out to be the first unofficial radio single of "The Hard Way" and was performed live at BET's 106 & Park. The album version differs from the mixtape version in a way that it is five seconds shorter and misses Snoop's intro where he gives the shootouts "Welcome to tha chuuch Vol. 2...exclusive 213". The official debut retail single was "Groupie Luv", which was also accompanied by a promo video. It was directed by Chris Robinson and saw the video debut for dancer [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1498844/ Criscilla Crossland] and was shot in Snoop Dogg's own house (see also Still a G Thang).

Track listing

*1. "Intro"
**Written by Frederick Nassar
**Produced by Fredwreck

*2. "Twist Yo Body"
**Produced by Hi-Tek
**Background vocals by Dion for Hi Tek Productions

*3. "Absolutely"
**Produced by Quaze

*4. "Keep It Gangsta"
**Produced by B Sharp
**Contains an interpolation of "Black Cow" written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen

*5. "Run On Up"
**Produced by Tha Chill

*6. "Groupie Luv"
**Produced by DJ Pooh
**Contains an interpolation of "Chameleon" written by Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson, Harvey William Mason Jr, and Bennie Maupin

*7. "Lonely Girl"
**Produced by Nottz
**Additional strings performed by Soopafly

*8. "Another Summer"
**Featuring Latoiya Williams
**Produced by Kanye West
**Contains excerpts of "Intimate Friends" performed by Eddie Kendricks

*9. "213 tha Gangsta Clicc"
**Produced by Josef

*10. "Gotta Find a Way"
**Produced by Lil' Half Dead & Niggaracci
**Contains excerpts of "Rejoice" performed by the Emotions

*11. "Ups & Downs" featuring Boki
**Produced by B Sharp and Tha Chill

*12. "Joysticc"
**Produced by Terrace Martin & Marlon Williams
**Contains an interpolation of "Juicy Fruit" written by James Mtume

*13. "Rick James interlude"
**Performed by Dave Chappelle
**Written by Frederick Nassar
**Produced by Fred Wreck

*14. "Mary Jane"
**Produced by Quaze
**Contains excerpts of "It's Time" performed by the Jungle Brothers
***Contains an interpolation of "Mary Jane" written by Rick James
*Contains an interpolation of "Spoonie Rap" written by Gabriel Jackson

*15. "MLK"
**Produced by B Sharp
**Contains an interpolation of "Ridin High" written by Ralph Aikens, Tyrone Crum, Kieth Harrison, Robert Neal, Roger Parker and Clarence Satchell

*16. "Lil Girl"
**Produced by Michael Angelo

*17. "My Dirty Ho"
**Produced by J-Hen
**Contains an interpolation of "The Rain" written by Vincent Bell

*18. "Appreciation"
**Produced by J-Hen

*19. "So Fly"
**Produced by Missy Elliott
**Contains excerpts of the recording "So Gone" performed by Monica
**Contains excerpts of "You are Number 1" performed by The Whisperers

*20. "Whistle While You Hustle" featuring Daz & Soopafly
**Produced by Jelly Roll
**European bonus track

Chart performance

External links

* [http://www.213music.net/ 213 official page]
* [http://www.mariah-charts.com/chartdata/PSnoopDogg.htm Chart Data]
* [http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=34854 213 on Music Video Database]
* [http://www.ejams.com/213.htm E-jams]